Lewes Bonfire Night 2022

Every year in Lewes, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, with fireworks lighting up the skies across the county of East Sussex.

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Lewes?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event over the years and is one of those incredible festivities.

What is it that makes people love these celebrations so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick rundown.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I while also attempting to blow up the parliament in the UK.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated it ever since.

There was a lot of anger towards the king due to the fact that he was against Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to the rightful place.

Two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him during the process.

The conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament after getting cold feet.

The other conspirators were taken into custody after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement regarding the situation and shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for and therefore the tradition to light bonfires.

We went to the Bonfire Night.

There are many Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night because it was focused on having fun.

The 20th century event looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are lots of things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are commonly associated with the Bonfire Night.

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions even have their own special meals to prepare around the 5th of November.

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with other family members.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

You are bound to find some amazing attractions and events throughout the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like minded people.

You will be able to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Some traditions are common:

• During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels on the shoulders are a tradition. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the Parliament building.
• It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
• There are firework displays all over the country with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. But in general you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
• The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook a lot of food. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. It is possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. The traditional parking cake is eaten on the Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
• The tradition called "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to Bonfire Night to ask for money for fireworks. In some parts of the world you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.

The Bonfire Night has traditions.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers at Bonfire Night.

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events end with a firework display.

What should you wear to the event?

People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night.

It is quite an interesting approach to prepare for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great time for people to show off their winter clothes.

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the correct way to go here.

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that protects you against the cold is more than welcome.

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night continues and has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some great foods.

Over the years it has impressed many people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it became a more community-friendly event over the years.

Happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come!

Lewes Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Lewes, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Lewes Bonfire Night